I just got an H22 and took it out the other day...whoa! I've never sailed before other than a rented Hobie but my H22 seemed a bit over sheathed. At 12-15mph winds it heeled considerably and hopefully my wife will sail with me again. Admittedly I was a bit surprised at how much a wind shift and minor increase in wind affected this boat. I have a 110% jib and sailed without reefing. Is this just the dynamics of this boat or should I have reefed in 12-15mph? Also for us new sailors is there a more forgiving point of sail? Thanks
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sailing,
Many years ago a friend loaned me his 11 ft board boat . With it a stack of books > He was a graduate student at the time and warned me not to go sailing until I knew everything in his books . Not being the student he was I spent a few days reading and then said the heck with it . I tried to imagine learning to ride a bike by reading a book . I made it to the lake and admittedly I should have done some more reading .One thing stuck in my mind and has always served me well . It was the phrase when in doubt let it out . Keep the main sheet in your hand and simply dont let the boat get beyond whatever you and your sailing mates current comfort level is . There are lots off great books on sailing and the archives here are full of information .Congratulations on your new boat, Fair Winds, Mike
Many years ago a friend loaned me his 11 ft board boat . With it a stack of books > He was a graduate student at the time and warned me not to go sailing until I knew everything in his books . Not being the student he was I spent a few days reading and then said the heck with it . I tried to imagine learning to ride a bike by reading a book . I made it to the lake and admittedly I should have done some more reading .One thing stuck in my mind and has always served me well . It was the phrase when in doubt let it out . Keep the main sheet in your hand and simply dont let the boat get beyond whatever you and your sailing mates current comfort level is . There are lots off great books on sailing and the archives here are full of information .Congratulations on your new boat, Fair Winds, Mike
I reef at 10 and above.
Must be nice to have wind. It was calm and 99 plus yesterday. I have put the rails in the water a few time myself, in the past. I have had my H22 for 4 years now and it is more tender than my previous boat which had a weighted keel. I learned something new this past March about how the boat handles in higher winds. I have a 155 and a spinaker for light winds which is what we have 75% of the time on Lake Allatoona. *)I am good with the main till the winds get to around 10 and above. I go ahead and put the full reef in. It's not constant enough here to use the first reef point. *) I learned one day in March through a fellow sailor, that when the water turns to constant large white caps that the H22 sails easier with just a head sail. We were at Pensacola this past summer and the winds were blowing over 20 for several days. I normally would have sailed very little due to the winds but with just the storm jib I was doing 6mph and above. I have also done this with the 110 several times. You can even jibe the boat easly and not have to worry about the boom. The boat points well, has very little heel, and is much more enjoyable. The boat is tender so reef early or in higher winds try just a head sail. I have my boat loaded with food and drinks, AC, Generator, and it sails better the more I load it. I don't unload it for races.
Must be nice to have wind. It was calm and 99 plus yesterday. I have put the rails in the water a few time myself, in the past. I have had my H22 for 4 years now and it is more tender than my previous boat which had a weighted keel. I learned something new this past March about how the boat handles in higher winds. I have a 155 and a spinaker for light winds which is what we have 75% of the time on Lake Allatoona. *)I am good with the main till the winds get to around 10 and above. I go ahead and put the full reef in. It's not constant enough here to use the first reef point. *) I learned one day in March through a fellow sailor, that when the water turns to constant large white caps that the H22 sails easier with just a head sail. We were at Pensacola this past summer and the winds were blowing over 20 for several days. I normally would have sailed very little due to the winds but with just the storm jib I was doing 6mph and above. I have also done this with the 110 several times. You can even jibe the boat easly and not have to worry about the boom. The boat points well, has very little heel, and is much more enjoyable. The boat is tender so reef early or in higher winds try just a head sail. I have my boat loaded with food and drinks, AC, Generator, and it sails better the more I load it. I don't unload it for races.
Main Sheet
Carl, if you want to maintain a fixed heading and the boat starts to heel excessively, let the main sheet out. Or, keep the main sheet where it is and change course slightly by heading up into the wind more. Heeling is fun but if you think about the force it takes to heel the boat to that extent it is tremendous. Many new sailors tend to keep the main sail too tight and use a tight sail for almost all points of sail. Sail trim is a feel thing - kind of like welding. You have to know your boat and this can only come with experience. Practice with the main sheet - change it for the same heading and feel what it does. Learn to reef - practice on a calm day. It takes time. It does not come overnight.
Carl, if you want to maintain a fixed heading and the boat starts to heel excessively, let the main sheet out. Or, keep the main sheet where it is and change course slightly by heading up into the wind more. Heeling is fun but if you think about the force it takes to heel the boat to that extent it is tremendous. Many new sailors tend to keep the main sail too tight and use a tight sail for almost all points of sail. Sail trim is a feel thing - kind of like welding. You have to know your boat and this can only come with experience. Practice with the main sheet - change it for the same heading and feel what it does. Learn to reef - practice on a calm day. It takes time. It does not come overnight.
Thanks
Thanks everyone for your help. Although I have read several books on sailing I realize it's going to take lot's of practice to get a good feel for sailing. I've already learned that with the spreaders on my H22 I can only let out the mainsheet 90º from the center position which worked on upwind courses but my now understood problem was dealing with wind shifts and gusts on beam reaches and jibs. I just couldn't position the sail during a beam reach to deal with the sudden gusts and shifts. I couldn't let out the sheet and when I took it in it shifted violently with the shifts. I know I have a lot to learn and will go out again today to learn more.
Thanks everyone for your help. Although I have read several books on sailing I realize it's going to take lot's of practice to get a good feel for sailing. I've already learned that with the spreaders on my H22 I can only let out the mainsheet 90º from the center position which worked on upwind courses but my now understood problem was dealing with wind shifts and gusts on beam reaches and jibs. I just couldn't position the sail during a beam reach to deal with the sudden gusts and shifts. I couldn't let out the sheet and when I took it in it shifted violently with the shifts. I know I have a lot to learn and will go out again today to learn more.
Here is tip or two.
Carl, When I started sailing my Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6 we had the best wind we have had in years. (or maybe it just felt like it!) I found the upwind sailing was more controllable than downwind. You can always head up into the wind to dump air or quickly let out the main. Beam reaches are normally pretty safe, just make sure you are heading more up wind than down. In the smaller boat, I favored dropping the jib first, then reefing the main second.
Carl, When I started sailing my Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6 we had the best wind we have had in years. (or maybe it just felt like it!) I found the upwind sailing was more controllable than downwind. You can always head up into the wind to dump air or quickly let out the main. Beam reaches are normally pretty safe, just make sure you are heading more up wind than down. In the smaller boat, I favored dropping the jib first, then reefing the main second.
100 or more ways to sail
Is the only way to describe everyones style. Some love to heel, some prefer close hauled runs only... 10+ I only run the main and keep close hauled runs as much as possible. 15+ down wind I just run the jib. I was in 3 ft waves and 12-15 kt winds on Green Bay July 1 and ran just the Jib on my H26 and was still running 5knts. Best rule is: when in doubt let it out.
Is the only way to describe everyones style. Some love to heel, some prefer close hauled runs only... 10+ I only run the main and keep close hauled runs as much as possible. 15+ down wind I just run the jib. I was in 3 ft waves and 12-15 kt winds on Green Bay July 1 and ran just the Jib on my H26 and was still running 5knts. Best rule is: when in doubt let it out.
H22's are definate heelers!
After 4 years of sailing my H22 in a variety of winds, here's what I've found works best. A 10 - 15mph wind is perfect for full main and a 110 genny with 15 starting to push the limits and if it's gusty a single reef in the main will keep things under control. Much more than that you'll need to start reducing your headsail. If you don't have a smaller headsail and or don't have a roller furling to reduce headsail, I used to just drop and shake out the reef in the main and run a full main only. Over 20 though you can forget it as you'll have NO control over the bow. If you do just the opposite and drop your main and run the 110 the weatherhelm becomes uncontrollable. If you don't have a roller furler you may want to seriously think about one. It's either that or have a nice selection of headsails to cover the wind ranges you sail in. I now have one on my boat rigged with a 130 which covers everything from the 5mph fully let out to around 25 reefed in to around a 90. Like others have mentioned, a reach is more forgiving but I always keep my mainsheet in hand and ready to let out when a gust blows up. As far as heeling goes, the H22 is notorious for it. Optimal heel angle is 20 degress. Anymore than that and your either sheeted to tight or oversheeted and then the weatherhelm starts creating too much drag, however I do like to play from time to time to see just how far I can get her layed over. 33 degrees is about as far as I've been able to get it without losing helm. Well at least until the next gust gets me. As you already know the boat is sensitive, but at the same time it is also very forgiving and great for newbies.
After 4 years of sailing my H22 in a variety of winds, here's what I've found works best. A 10 - 15mph wind is perfect for full main and a 110 genny with 15 starting to push the limits and if it's gusty a single reef in the main will keep things under control. Much more than that you'll need to start reducing your headsail. If you don't have a smaller headsail and or don't have a roller furling to reduce headsail, I used to just drop and shake out the reef in the main and run a full main only. Over 20 though you can forget it as you'll have NO control over the bow. If you do just the opposite and drop your main and run the 110 the weatherhelm becomes uncontrollable. If you don't have a roller furler you may want to seriously think about one. It's either that or have a nice selection of headsails to cover the wind ranges you sail in. I now have one on my boat rigged with a 130 which covers everything from the 5mph fully let out to around 25 reefed in to around a 90. Like others have mentioned, a reach is more forgiving but I always keep my mainsheet in hand and ready to let out when a gust blows up. As far as heeling goes, the H22 is notorious for it. Optimal heel angle is 20 degress. Anymore than that and your either sheeted to tight or oversheeted and then the weatherhelm starts creating too much drag, however I do like to play from time to time to see just how far I can get her layed over. 33 degrees is about as far as I've been able to get it without losing helm. Well at least until the next gust gets me. As you already know the boat is sensitive, but at the same time it is also very forgiving and great for newbies.
A couple of comments
a) get a good basic primer on sailing. "Sailing for Dummies" is a good basic reference. I also like "Sailing Fundamentals" by Gary Jobson, which they used for the ASA Basic Keelboat certification course back when I took it. You can find both at amazon.com or any of the majoer booksellers. Here are a couple of links: http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/0471791431/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0921384-2135064?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186809007&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Fundamentals-Gary-Jobson/dp/0743273087/ref=pd_sim_b_3/103-0921384-2135064?ie=UTF8&qid=1186809007&sr=1-1 b) learn the terminology. Like any other activity/sport, sailing has its own vocabulary. More experienced sailors don't "talk sailor" just to appear "salty" for the girls at the dockside bar. There WILL be times when you want something specific done, grabbed, cleated, uncleated or cut, and issuing the wrong instruction could cause even more problems c) make sure you have the proper safety gear aboard and know how to use it. It makes good sense (it's also the law) d) IMHO, a beam reach is a good point of sail for new sailors because you can sail back and forth all day without drifting downwind. Getting back to your starting point is easy. You can also slow or stop the boat at any time when sailing on a beam reach by simply easing sheets. Unlike sailing close-hauled, the boat cannot get into irons. Simply sheet in and you're under way again. e) MANY sailors (even experienced ones) oversheet their sails. Here's a simple guide when sailing on any point of sail from close-hauled to a broad reach: Ease the sheet until the sail starts luffing, then sheet in until the luffing JUST stops. It's that simple. If you want to take it one step further, tie a telltale on the leech of your mainsail at each batten. When the sail is properly trimmed, the lower telltales will stream straight back. f) Sails aren't the Showtime Rotisserie, you shouldn't "set it and forget it". In most places, wind speed and direction don't remain constant for long. Small adjustments in sail trim are needed to keep the boat on a steady course. g) your tiller is your friend. If you are fighting with it to stay on course, it means your sails aren't properly trimmed. h) excessive heel is not cool, nor is it fast or comfortable. Yeah, I said it. Fifteen degrees is about it for most boats. h) If you don't know the specific meanings of any of the terms I used in this post, see a) and b) above. i) have fun. Peter H23 "Raven"
a) get a good basic primer on sailing. "Sailing for Dummies" is a good basic reference. I also like "Sailing Fundamentals" by Gary Jobson, which they used for the ASA Basic Keelboat certification course back when I took it. You can find both at amazon.com or any of the majoer booksellers. Here are a couple of links: http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/0471791431/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0921384-2135064?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186809007&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Fundamentals-Gary-Jobson/dp/0743273087/ref=pd_sim_b_3/103-0921384-2135064?ie=UTF8&qid=1186809007&sr=1-1 b) learn the terminology. Like any other activity/sport, sailing has its own vocabulary. More experienced sailors don't "talk sailor" just to appear "salty" for the girls at the dockside bar. There WILL be times when you want something specific done, grabbed, cleated, uncleated or cut, and issuing the wrong instruction could cause even more problems c) make sure you have the proper safety gear aboard and know how to use it. It makes good sense (it's also the law) d) IMHO, a beam reach is a good point of sail for new sailors because you can sail back and forth all day without drifting downwind. Getting back to your starting point is easy. You can also slow or stop the boat at any time when sailing on a beam reach by simply easing sheets. Unlike sailing close-hauled, the boat cannot get into irons. Simply sheet in and you're under way again. e) MANY sailors (even experienced ones) oversheet their sails. Here's a simple guide when sailing on any point of sail from close-hauled to a broad reach: Ease the sheet until the sail starts luffing, then sheet in until the luffing JUST stops. It's that simple. If you want to take it one step further, tie a telltale on the leech of your mainsail at each batten. When the sail is properly trimmed, the lower telltales will stream straight back. f) Sails aren't the Showtime Rotisserie, you shouldn't "set it and forget it". In most places, wind speed and direction don't remain constant for long. Small adjustments in sail trim are needed to keep the boat on a steady course. g) your tiller is your friend. If you are fighting with it to stay on course, it means your sails aren't properly trimmed. h) excessive heel is not cool, nor is it fast or comfortable. Yeah, I said it. Fifteen degrees is about it for most boats. h) If you don't know the specific meanings of any of the terms I used in this post, see a) and b) above. i) have fun. Peter H23 "Raven"
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